According to Mayo Clinic experts, the glioblastoma es and type of cancer “That begins with the cell development in the brain or spinal cord. The cells develop rapidly, and can invade and destroy healthy tissues. Glioblastoma is formed from cells called astrocytes, which support neurons. The cause is unknown of most glioblastomas. It has no cure and treatments can reduce cancer development speed and reduce symptoms. ”
The symptoms of glioblastoma can include headaches that worsen, nausea and vomiting, blurred or double vision, difficulties in speaking, alteration of the sense of touch and seizures. Problems with balance, coordination and to move parts of the body or face may also appear, According to Mayo Clinic.
In that sense, a team of researchers has found a Key finding in the fight against glioblastoma. The study, published in the magazine Science Advancessuggests that The intervention in an enzyme known as PGM3 could be the key to curbing the progress of this aggressive tumor.
To the enzyme PGM3 Play a crucial role in the synthesis of hexosamine, a vital process for glycosylation of protein and lipids. This process, in turn, is essential for the rapid growth of tumors, according to the authors. In simple terms, lipid glycosylation involves the union of sugar molecules to the fats of the body, thus facilitating cell proliferation associated with tumor formation.
He Integral Oncological Center of the Ohio State University and the Arthur G. James and Richard J. Solove Research Institute They are leading research, and their discoveries could change the therapeutic approach for glioblastoma. According to Deliang Guofounding director of Cancer Metabolism Center“By acting on this enzyme, we can develop more effective treatments for glioblastoma, a brain tumor with very few effective therapeutic options.”
The key to this research lies in how PGM3 It contributes to the connection between the creation of sugar and fat in the cells. When blocking this enzyme, researchers believe that it is possible to interrupt this process, which, in turn, could slow tumor growth and eliminate cancer cells. This approach has the potential to transform the way glioblastoma is fought.
Huali Sufirst author of the study and researcher in the Radiation Oncology Department and the Osucc-James cancer metabolismemphasizes the urgency of finding new therapeutic alternatives: “glioblastoma is the most lethal primary brain tumor, with a median survival of only 12 to 16 months from the diagnosis, despite intensive treatments,” he says. “New molecular targets for glioblastoma are urgently needed,” he said.
The study not only involves Ohio researchers. They have also worked in collaboration with scientists from France and outstanding universities such as The University of California-Los Angeles, California-Irvine University y Louisville University.
“Despite the extensive research and clinical trials, the treatment of glioblastoma has not shown substantial changes in the last 20 years. The lack of progress is mainly due to our incomplete understanding of the complex biology of glioblastoma, which prevents the discovery of effective molecular targets, ”wrote the authors in the investigation.
While giving some technical details of their finding: “The high biosynthesis of hexosamine drives tumor growth by facilitating glycosylation of protein and lipids. However, it has not yet determined what enzyme of this path is more effective as an antitumor tar Hexosamine synthesis, presents Inhibitory effects limited in glioblastoma. ”
“Unexpectedly, the inhibition of PGM3, which controls the flow of the synthesis and rescue of novo hexosamine, inhibits the expression of other enzymes of this route and suppresses Srebp-1, a crucial lipogenic transcription factor, which which Inhibits effectively The growth of glioblastoma, ”they deepened.
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